The police are considering a further action after a post-mortem on one Shadrach Arloo – who died allegedly in the hands of police – seemed to have exonerated the law-enforcement agency from wrongdoing.
A sister of the deceased’s had alleged in a viral video that her brother, who was billed to travel to Germany the following day, was manhandled by the police officer on duty at the West Hills Mall, causing his death.
The Ghana Police Service immediately charged the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to start investigations into the allegations made by Perpetual Didier.
Police explained in a statement on Tuesday, February 7 that initial investigations led to the arrest of Osei Kwame Boafo, a private security guard, who was alleged to have used a taser on the deceased during his arrest.
Witnesses were also invited to aid investigations.
“The narrative of events, as gathered by the police, indicated that during the course of the arrest, the deceased pulled out a substance from his bag, which he quickly swallowed before anyone could stop him.
“He became unconscious shortly afterwards and was taken to the Sonotech Clinic for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Police further explained that as part of the investigations, a police pathologist met the representatives of the deceased over the post-mortem examination, giving the deceased’s side the option of getting a pathologist of their choice.
But the representatives including Members of Parliament (MPs) Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah and Dorcas Affo Toffey opted for the police pathologist.
The post-mortem is said to have been done on Tuesday, February 7 in the presence of three relatives of the deceased, father of the accused and lawyer of the deceased, Francis Xavier-Sosu
The pathologist gave the verbal cause of death as Asphyxiation and Obstruction of the airway by a foreign body.
“He also retrieved from the throat of the deceased, eight(8) zipped bags containing dry leaves suspected to be narcotic drugs tied in a piece of black polythene.”
The retrieved items tested positive for cannabis when examined in front of all parties.
“In view of the outcome of the post-mortem examination, the case docket is being forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Office for study and advice to determine further police action.”
The police pointed out that from scratch and in every step of the way, they have involved all interested parties.
They, therefore, expressed great dismay and regret that some of these interested parties are behaving as though they had no idea of the actions that were being taken by the police.
“We would like to urge the general public to exercise restraint and patience with matters that are under police investigation in order not to worsen the pain of those who are directly affected by such incidents.”
